Custom Finesse Cat rod

[minner]

I was in a need of a custom rod that I could catch nearly about anything with. When I fish the saltwater back in LA I usually end up taking about 3 rods with me taking up valuable space on the all too frequent family trips. I wanted a rod with enough backbone to land a 60lb catfish and able to chunk heavy cut bait, but I also want to be able to throw irons at Cobia along the beach. I wanted enough tip action that I could throw lighter top water plugs in the saltwater, and enough balls to pull a fish out of oil rig structure in the Gulf.............Not much to ask out of one rod right??????

Here's the setup:
7'0" Batson Rainshadow RCLBM Eglass/RX6 Graphite Blend Blank, Extra Fast Action, Medium Power
7- Perfection Heavy Duty Black Stainless Steel Braced Boat Guides
Fuji Graphite real seat
Parachord handle

This rod would probably make any "traditional rod wrapper" toss and turn in his sleep, because I put no effort into fancy threadwork. I went straight black on black emoScratch thread with black spiral wrapped guides. I used a split grip cork underlayment for the handle and foregrip. I wrapped over the cork with 550 Para-cord. I then treated the cord and cork with Thompson's Water Seal. I finished the extended foregrip off with a nice 5x8 Turkshead knot.

To complete the setup I opted for an Avet SX 5.3 MC reel. AND let me tell you reeling and casting that reel......."Is like buuddaa".

The report I made a few weeks back when I was fishing the Gulf; I caught all but two fish using this rod. I really gave it a workout.

 

[Bprice]

Where is mine? Nice work!

 

[SpurHunter]

Will it catch skip-jack?

 

[minner]

SpurHunter - 5/12/2009 8:10 AM

Will it catch skip-jack?

Probably. Although it wouldn't be much of a battle with that Avet reel. emoBigsmile

 

[Fat Albert]

<font face="comic sans ms,sand" color="#ff0033" size="4">looks like it will work and looks pretty neat.....question???? why did you roll the guides left instead of goin right?????? my thinking if you cast right handed the torque will be to the right side.....just wondering.... you done good for what you are goin to fish for.....FA</font>

 

[foodsaver]

thats freaking sweet!!! What would the parts cost to build a rod like that?

 

[SpurHunter]

foodsaver - 5/12/2009 10:03 AM thats freaking sweet!!! What would the parts cost to build a rod like that?

</p>

My guess after labor.....$400, so you better get begging momma! </p>

 

[josh.schreiber]

very sexy wrap w that 550 cord!

 

[minner]

Fat Albert - 5/12/2009 8:33 AM

<font face="comic sans ms,sand" color="#ff0033" size="4">looks like it will work and looks pretty neat.....question????   why did you roll the guides left instead of goin right??????  my thinking if you cast right handed the torque will be to the right side.....just wondering....   you done good for what you are goin to fish for.....FA</font>

Well Al, to be honest......I don't know for sure. LOL I've read several theories on this, arguing both sides are correct. I decided to roll left since (in theory) any torque created by the line spiraled left on a loaded rod would be offset by the balance of a right handed reel. AND, when one is reeling down on a fish using a right handed reel, they are actually creating a right hand moment involuntarily.............at least that is what I think. PLUS, IMHO, it looks cooler its more aesthetically pleasing and actually "looks" balanced.

On the next one I am probably going to roll the guides right just for pure function as the reel and reel handle will help protect the bumper/standoff guides when laying on the floor of the boat.

foodsaver - 5/12/2009 9:03 AM

thats freaking sweet!!! What would the parts cost to build a rod like that?

Well Craig, I got about $60 in the blank, $2-4 in each guide, $12 in the reel seat, $15 in cork, $2 para-cord, $1 butt cap, some thread & epoxy-say $10 so I guess about $125 in parts.

........You dont want to know about the reel....... emoVomit

 

[foodsaver]

you are right it looks pricy. I wish I could find a blank for those ugly stik tiger rods. One of those would be sweet with that paracord handle.

 

[Guest]

Minner looks really good. I am not familiar with saltwater rods so excuse my ignorance, but what advantage does the paracord have over a hypalon grip? It does look cool.

Fat Albert - 5/12/2009 9:33 AM
why did you roll the guides left instead of goin right?

On my trolling rods, the guides go left for the port side and the guides go right on the starboard side rods. It helps them from rolling in the rod holders. For my bass baitcasters (I palm) guides rotate toward the handle (mostly lefties but a few right too).

 

[u_got_striped]

That looks really good. Has a military look to it.

 

[minner]

R14 - 5/12/2009 8:50 PM

Minner looks really good. I am not familiar with saltwater rods so excuse my ignorance, but what advantage does the paracord have over a hypalon grip? It does look cool.

I don’t know if it has a distinct advantage. It can be cheaper over expensive cork (doesn't apply to this one). I've been told it is more durable than hypalon although I couldn't confirm it, one because this is my first cord grip, and two I haven’t had any major hypalon failures. It does however have the advantage of being replaceable without having to strip the reel seat, etc. A lot of Left Coast head boats use cord grips on their deck rods for this reason alone. Deck rods get a lot of abuse, and a lot of the time the folks using them are not "seasoned" fishermen. Ever seen someone use their foam grips as a hook keep? I have. LOL

 

[Guest]

thanks and replace-ability makes sense to me.